Results

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU women's cross country team opened up the year at home for the first time since 2004, with first place at the Bearcat Invitational. Sophomore Crissie Owensby took the individual title, running with a time of 19:33 over the 5K course held on the southeast corner of the SBU campus.

The Bearcats easily took home the title, scoring just 23 points compared to second-place Missouri State B's 43. Missouri S&T (76 pts.), Drury (87 pts.), and Coffeyville CC (142 pts.) rounded out the field. Along with Owensby, junior Melanie McVay and freshman Ashley Wolkomir were up front for the majority of the race, and finished fourth and fifth respectively with times of 19:50 and 19:57.

Missouri State B's top two runners, Maggie Sutor and Andrea Marshall led early, but Owensby was able to outlast them to take the win. SBU finished with five runners in the top seven, as Holly Hackney (20:13) and Melody Elswick (20:14) finished sixth and seventh.

A pair of Bearcat freshmen, Mandy Brady and Whitney Coats finish their first collegiate race in 13th and 14th place, respectively, out of a field of 41. Camrie Nixon finished in 21st position, while Karissa Fisher came in 23rd.

With their first win under their belts, the Bearcats will travel to Warrensburg next Friday, for the UCM Mule Run.